When I saw the headline for Tom Patterson's Guest Commentary on Feb 12, 2012 (Obama policies have stalled economic recovery) I thought I would at last learn what specific programs and policies that President Obama has instituted that so infuriate Republicans. Alas, all that Patterson provided was more of the same inflammatory generic rhetoric that has propelled Republican opposition for years. All we got was more "Saint Reagan good, Obama bad". There was not one fact provided or Obama policy identified that can be directly pointed as stalling an economic recovery. Instead, Patterson regurgitated the same old lines that seem to be repeated by all Republicans.
Patterson writes, "The wrong headed policies of this administration have needlessly prolonged the misery and plunged us deeply into debt to boot." You'd think Patterson would be able to point to one "wrong-headed" policy that caused this plunge, but no, he can't. Perhaps it was Obama's tax cuts for the middle class that did it,
Facts are facts, and, unless you are a Republican, hard to ignore. When Jimmy Carter left office in 1981 the national debt was $930 billion. When Reagan left office eight years later it was $2.6 trillion, and he had raised taxes, both income and social security massively. When Bill Clinton left office in 2001 the national debt was $5.6 trillion (and the annual budget was in its second year of a surplus), eight years later when George II finally departed the national debt was $10.7 trillion. Under Obama it has risen to $15 trillion, hardly the "doubling under Obama's watch" that Patterson proclaims. Wonder why he didn't point out the doubling under George II?
Patterson insists that tax policy has to be made more simply. True enough, but that has nothing to do with President Obama's policies. The tax code is written by Congress and the code's complexity is a direct result of special interest groups lobbying Congress for exemptions, deductions, and other tax breaks that result in a heavier burden on the middle class. Can Patterson identify one tax policy of Obama's that has stifled growth? Just one?
Patterson further proclaims that businesses should "operate in a stable, predictable environment." Oh really. How fanciful. Like the stable and predictable environment of the oil crisis of the 1970s, the incredible inflation of the Reagan years, the tax increases of the George I, the dot.com boom/bust, or the failed Republican fiscal policy of George II and the massive erosion of wealth caused by greedy Wall Street bankers. If the business environment was stable and predictable, who would need investors?
According to Patterson, lower tax rates for the wealthy will cure all that ails this country. Well, Mr. Patterson apparently has forgotten that tax rates have been low for the wealthy for over ten years and where are the jobs? Where is the economic growth? If lower tax rates were the cure, why do we still have economic problems. Reagan promised "trickle down" benefits. Really? Where are they? He said a "rising tide floats all boats." That is true, for sure, but as a result, nothing really changes because the disparities still exist, only at a higher level.
Patterson proclaims that based on "historical precedent" this recession should have ended. He fails to note that historical precedence has no relevance on an economic disaster of this magnitude. Over 8 million jobs, good paying, middle management jobs have disappeared, forever. Gone, vanished, went bye-bye. They will never return. Trillions of dollars of invested wealth were evaporated, that wealth will never return. People's lives and aspirations were altered forever. But he believes that lower taxes for the wealthy will make it all better again.
According to Patterson, Feds must "ease up on regulations," to improve the economy. Ignoring the fact that Obama has initiated a program to eliminate unnecessary regulations, which rules is Patterson referring to? Which specific regulations are stifling growth? Perhaps its a law the reduces mercury in our drinking water? Or one that eliminates cancer-causing pollutants from the air we breathe? Why doesn't he identify which specific Federal regulations are hampering economic growth and offer solutions? Why?
Patterson says entitlements must be reformed and cut. Why? Social Security and Medicare aren't the problem. People such as myself have paid into these funds for years so that seniors would reap the rewards for their sacrifices. Now that our Baby Boom generation is looking to get our money back, he wants to stop these programs? Simply by raising the maximum earnings on which Social Security and Medicare taxes are collected would solve any shortage problems. Why should investors pulling down more than $106,000 per year be given a break? It makes no sense. Instead, reduce defense spending. Why do we need massively expensive fighter jets pushed by the military-industrial complex? Who will we use them against? Why so many submarines? Is their a large enemy fleet coming after us? Why so many aircraft carriers? Who is our enemy we need these for? Defense spending could be reduced by a minimum of 10 percent and our country would still be secure.
Patterson predicts that someday this recession will be over and "we will be left with a nasty legacy: a smoldering pile of debt." That is true. But he fails to note that the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office recently reported that if the tax cuts of George II had not been implemented there would have been budget surpluses every year since 2001, and our debt at that time would have been paid off. Paid off! The United States of America would be free and clear of debt. Where is Patterson's criticism of these tax cuts that have plunged us into such massive debt? I guess they don't fit his angry personality.
Patterson wants Republicans returned to power, but returning control of the executive and legislative branches of Congress, backed by a Republican Supreme Court, in this election to the people that caused this mess will only return our country to the massive spending of 2001-2008 under George II and increase our debt. Remember co-president Cheney's announcement that "deficits don't matter." Our country cannot afford that type of thinking again.
Perhaps next time Mr. Patterson fires up his keyboard he can provide specific details to back up his opinions and not just repeat the same old message the Republicans have spewing since 1933. And he might want to do some more research as to why we have these problems today.
Edward F. Murphy
Mesa
VofReason posted at 12:53 pm on Wed, Feb 15, 2012.
Here are a few facts, Obama has been in office since 2008 and what has happened to Unemployment during that time? That tells you what businesses think of him. How about the fact that he shoved his Healthcare bill down people's throats despite all polling showing the citizens were against it. Down at the street level, ask you common small business owner if he or she has great expansion plans with the President throwing around that the "rich" should pay your "fair" share statements. How about the latest budget 1 trillion plus in the red with no relief in site. Those are the facts. I think something may be blinding you from seeing them.
TeaPartyPatriot posted at 2:05 pm on Wed, Feb 15, 2012.
The American public has been manipulated into thinking the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the fight against terrorism are bankrupting our nation. I encourage the study of the statistics mentioned below which do not receive adequate attention from the establishment (liberal) media. Subsequently, the public is not aware of this staggering information. I have furnished the URL’s for verification.
1. $15 Billion to $22 Billion spent yearly on welfare to illegal aliens by state governments.
Verify at: http://tinyurl.com/zob77
2. $12 Billion spent yearly on primary and secondary school education for children here illegally and they cannot speak English and are discouraged to do so by their parents.
Verify at: http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html
3. $3 Million spent daily to incarcerate illegal aliens.
Verify at: http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html
4. $90 Billion spent yearly on illegal aliens for Welfare and social services.
Verify at: http://premium.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0610/29/ldt.01.html
5. $2.2 Billion spent yearly on food assistance such as food stamps, WIC, and free school lunches.
Verify at: http://www.cis.org/articles/2004/fiscalexec.html
6. $2.5 Billion to $3.5 Billion spent yearly on Medicaid for illegal aliens.
Verify at: http://www.cis.org/articles/2004/fiscalexec.html
7. $45 Billion in 2006 alone sent in remittances to illegal alien’s countries of origin.
Verify at: http://www.rense.com/general75/niht.htm
8. The Dark Side of Illegal Immigration: Nearly One Million sex crimes committed by Illegal Immigrants.
Verify at: http://www.drdsk.com/articles.html
The damage to America’s infrastructure is devastating; the overwhelming flood of illegal aliens is collapsing the mission and ability of hospitals, schools, parks and recreational facilities, solid-waste and trash, water and sewer systems, roads and highways, and power grids. With all the talk about the Stimulus Package, what is not even added to such numbers is the estimated additional $1.6 Trillion to repair infrastructure damage caused by the massive influx of illegal aliens.
On the Obamanation's watch it has become worse than ever. It's time we put someone in the white house that will take America's problems seriously instead of the current clown.
chuckles3 posted at 2:25 pm on Wed, Feb 15, 2012.
Yes Mr Murphy, facts are stubborn things. Your whopper about the Bush tax cuts and the deficit made me laugh. I guess this is why this is the "opinion' section. You are allowed to make up your own facts. Even uber left -wing Media matters only blames the cuts for a third of the deficit, albeit with a flawed analysis. Nice rant though. Now go back to waiting for your Government cheese.
truth posted at 3:08 pm on Wed, Feb 15, 2012.
The Republicans keep repeating the same lies over and over again, the U.S.has to be more corporate friendly, fact, corporations are paying the lowest level of taxes in four decades, last year companies paid taxes of just 12.1 percent on their U.S. profits. The wall street journal. Republicans forget when the recession started and why, and who started the bail out, tarp money 700 billion. They also belive in one of the oldest lies in the world, the letter J did not exist untill the 15 century.[beam][beam]
CSalafia posted at 3:39 pm on Wed, Feb 15, 2012.
Well,
It appears Mr. TeaParty has bought into a completely debunked anonymous chain email on immigration.
The e-mail includes a link to a CIS report that contradicts some of the e-mail’s own claims. The report found that illegal immigrant welfare use "tends to be very low." It also estimates the total federal net cost of households headed by illegal immigrants at under $10.4 billion, a small fraction of what this message claims.
One "paper" that is cited is a non-peer-reviewed, non-scientific study that essentially fabricates a number for illegal immigrant criminals.
Five of the links lead to transcripts of Lou Dobbs’ cable television show, which fulminates regularly against illegal immigration and is hardly a neutral source. Furthermore, in all instances, the e-mail then takes the original Dobbs reporting out of context.
http://www.factcheck.org/2009/04/cost-of-illegal-immigrants/
sdjtaz posted at 4:56 pm on Wed, Feb 15, 2012.
VofReason: Yes, let's look at the unemployment numbers. In April 2008, the unemployment rate was at % 5.0. By January 2009 (Bush's last month in office), the unemployment rate was at % 7.8, a % 2.8 increase in less than a year. This was a strong indication that we were entering into a strong recession. Under Obama, the highest point of unemployment was % 10.0 in October 2010 (an increase of 2.2 %). Since Oct. 2010, the rate has slowly decreased and was at % 8.3 in January 2012 (or %.5 higher than when Bush left office). Additionally, we have had six straight months where the unemployment rate has dropped. So essentially, it has taken us nearly three years to overcome the recession that started under Bush.
Chuckles3: While I agree with you that it's wasn't just the Bush tax cut causing issues, many of the deficit problems that we are now facing are directly accountable from programs passed by the Bush administration. In example, the estimated costs for Bush's tax cuts cost the US 1.8 trillion dollars, to fight wars in Afghanistan and Iraq without proper financing cost us 1.46 trillion. Overall, the various changes under the Bush administration contributed over 5 trillion dollars to the course of their life. The estimates for changes under the Obama administration are estimated to contribute 1.44 trillion dollars. So I ask you, who really was the free spender?
In_God_We_Trust posted at 6:29 pm on Wed, Feb 15, 2012.
Factcheck .org is owned by Annenberg of Chicago..
Obama sat on the board of Annenberg dispersing up to 60 million dollars a year..
Draw your own conclusions..
Its full title is Annenberg Political Fact Check.
Who ran Annenberg Chicago?
Barack Hussein Obama was on the Board of Directors from 1995-2001, and was the Chairman from 1995-1999.
We established before the election that FactCheck is not reliable - just another manifestation of the wolf in sheep's clothing - a front for Obama
Personally, I think they're just another liberal pro illegal migrant mouthpiece.
These liberals will do anything to protect Obama's paper thin credentials and ethics. Strangely, these same liberals accuse Republicans of doing the same thing. The liberals are mentally ill. Literally. Liberalism in the form we see today should be recognized as an illness Liberal like CSalafia see them as their Holy Bible of truth. lol Silly liberals, thinking is for republicans.
Accuracy posted at 7:41 pm on Wed, Feb 15, 2012.
Edward F. Murphy provides rhetoric but forgot to include the facts: It was President Barack Obama who vowed to cut the trillion dollar federal deficit in half by the end of his first term.
The National Debt stood at $10.597 trillion when President Obama took office in 2009. After increases of $1.9 trillion in FY2009, and $1.7 trillion in FY2010, Obama signed the measure passed by the senate which raised the 14.3 trillion dollar debt by 2.4 trillion dollars through 2012.
President Obama has now released his $3.8 trillion budget proposal for fiscal year 2013, which begins next October. Prompting conservative lawmakers to sound the alarm again concerning Obama’s unsustainable spending and the massive national debt that is out of control.
Rich posted at 9:42 pm on Wed, Feb 15, 2012.
Mr. Murphy sure is some kind of genius to figure all this out. All those 'facts.' Problem is, you see, I don't really think much of 'facts.' Basically everybody's got a few, mostly they disagree, and a good percentage are made up for the purpose of argument. The only 'fact' I am really aware of is that Mr. Obama has done the worst job I have seen in the White House of anyone in my lifetime, and the first one I remember clearly is Truman. That is a 'fact' I can get a hold of, because I lived it. As to economic 'facts' they are like economists, laid end to end the all point in different directions. If you're going to vote to make it better, rather than be 'right' Mr. Murphy, then honestly ask yourself if things are better. But then, given your name, if you can be wrong, you will be.
sockratties posted at 6:58 am on Thu, Feb 16, 2012.
Good letter Mr. Murphy – Your points are valid. Unfortunately they won’t be understood by the anti-Obama minions. (Read that as anti-Obama not pro-America.) They will ignore the crux of your letter and carp about their personal agenda which is unrelated to our nation’s fiscal health.
Attempts to lay all the problems on illegal aliens is laughable. The monetary cost of illegal immigration is less than 1% of Homeland Security’s budget. That amount is less than the Federal, State, Local and Sales taxes they pay. They also will not be collecting the Social Security or Medicare benefits they are paying for. I’m not advocating for illegal immigration, I’m just saying it should not be used as a diversionary tactic to derail the real discussions of spending, revenue, job creation and job retention.
One place we aren’t looking is down the road a few years. If we think we have an employment problem now, think how we are going to be in 20 years when the current poorly educated, ill-prepared generation enters the work force. The widening gap between the working poor and the wealthy is moving higher education further up the economic scale, out of the reach of all but the well to do. Those that are able to borrow to learn graduate with huge debt. This disparity demonstrates how we are becoming a two class system; rich getting richer and poor getting poorer. It’s interesting how the wanna-be minions of the Koch brothers continue to buy into the rhetoric defending the rich.
It doesn’t matter who is the next president. Unless we grow more, better educated workers we can’t compete in the work market. Our universities are moving out of reach of the average family’s price range with tuitions increasing exponentially as the middle class becomes the working poor.
The market for unskilled and blue collar workers is shrinking. Labor, service, and unskilled jobs will continue to be low wage jobs with minimum benefits. Demands in science, engineering, information and technology will require companies to go where the skills exist. Our educational systems are stuck in 20th century mode and always bear the brunt of the budgeting ax. Every administration has tinkered with education, often spending billions on a broken bureaucracy. None have made it better.
wdgnas posted at 8:12 am on Thu, Feb 16, 2012.
edward f. murphy: next time try not to as many facts. you only confuse people.
Arizona Willie posted at 8:31 am on Thu, Feb 16, 2012.
What do the Universities ( and Colleges ) do with the tuition?
The don't seem to pay the Professors that much.
Where does all that money go?
Many of the buildings were paid for long long ago.
Seems there should be some accountability demanded of schools.
They should have to PROVE why they need higher tuition ... not just unilaterally raise it with no questions asked.
As for elementary and high schools ... they need to remove the administrators who believe in worrying about Johnny's feelings and re-institute numerical grading systems.
No more " good job " or " well he tried hard " type grades.
Life does not reward mere attendance with promotions.
Tests should be administered at least once per semester in each subject and the tests should come from and be administered by a 3rd party which is itself audited.
Teachers should not make up their own test nor should they have access to the tests in order to " teach to the test ".
Teach the material and let the students take double blind tests without the teacher being able to prime them with the answers ahead of time to make themselves look good.
And the testing company should make the test hard enough that a certain percentage would be expected to FAIL.
When I was in High School they told us if we wanted to pass we were expected to do at least 4 hours of home work every night.
THEY WEREN'T KIDDING.
Rodini posted at 10:55 am on Thu, Feb 16, 2012.
Right on Murphy!!
I've tried to engage Tom in some e-mail discussions recently, but just like every other Republican I've ever talked with, they have NO FACTS to back their arguements, and as soon as you start using facts, they turn and run away as fast as they can.
Tom has the "disease" and by that I mean the "I can't hear you" sickness that all Republicans suffer from.
They are demagogues -making use of popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power- and that limits what they can accept into their narrow minded thinking processes.
In fact they prefer NOT to have to think, preferring to just repeat the same old slogans and deceptions that they have repeated to themselves, over and over again, for decades now!
So Sad, isn't it?
CSalafia posted at 11:55 am on Thu, Feb 16, 2012.
IGWT,
Attempting to smear the source doesn't mean that the chain email isn't bogus.
Nice try, though. You hold on to that lie as hard as you want.
VofReason posted at 1:01 pm on Thu, Feb 16, 2012.
C Salafia. Yes illigal immigrants don't cost anything in welfare, education, healthcare, food stamps etc etc. They have magically figured out how to raise a family and pay for everything for under 20K per year. Maybe you can help us all with the math. Please, step back and think about it before you throw around such claims.
CSalafia posted at 1:13 pm on Fri, Feb 17, 2012.
That's not at all what I said. Congratulations on completely missing the point.
The "facts" posted up thread come from a bogus chain email. So, if one wants to talk facts, it helps if one actually has real, verifiable ones in their possession.
yiyi posted at 7:15 pm on Mon, Nov 5, 2012.
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